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alyxbeau's review against another edition
*UPDATE*
After an extended time away from this book I find myself uninterested in returning to the story, and it will remain unfinished for books I actually really am drawn to
Minor: Rape
starrysteph's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a complex (& dense) high fantasy read. I would strongly recommend taking it easy and reading small chunks at a time to slowly become immersed and gain a better understanding of the world.
There was a lot of richness here (and I don't think I've read a Jamaican-based fantasy before – so, very cool!), but it was very slow and often overwritten.
Here's what I enjoyed:
• I also really liked the magic system and how the viewpoints of different characters physically changed the way they were able to utilize magic
• Both POVs played with power & victimhood in interesting ways, leading to a unique and complicated setup of good vs. evil and general villainy
• The premise is awesome! Two rival witches ... an examination of revenge and leadership and sacrifice
• The book needed some editing (it was unnecessarily long & some word choices were peculiar) and the pacing was off; the first 75% was incredibly slow with most action happening offscreen but then everything came together in an overwhelming way
• I'm speaking for myself but I think other readers can probably relate: I desperately needed a glossary for the amount of names/positions and terminology
• While the POVs were theoretically very different, their voices blended together for me and it wasn’t obvious who was speaking - this was especially frustrating because it was told in first person
CW: violence, blood, death, murder, child death, death of parent, war, torture, confinement, body horror, vomit, bullying, sexual assault (mentioned), suicide (mentioned)
Graphic: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Vomit, War, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, and Grief
Minor: Rape
oliverlang's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The chapters undulate between 2 different characters throughout the book and at first it was confusing to pin down which character was where doing what but by the end of Part I it got easier and I found myself invested in the story and compelled to read more.
The writing style wasn't my favourite but it stopped grating on me as the book went on and actually fitted the feeling of the book. I appreciated that this wasn't a romance centric story and any parts that did illude to feelings weren't icky.
I'll probably read the next one! Would be interested to see this as a TV series.
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Violence, and War
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
chloeluna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Death
Minor: Sexual violence, Rape, and Suicide
rozz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Minor: Rape
tahsintries's review against another edition
3.0
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Rape
spinesinaline's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Death, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Rape
melaniereadsbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Torture, Bullying, Child death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
itsonlyelly's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Rape
nullandvoidlibrary's review
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Violence
Minor: Rape